Hot Topics:

Unions good for America (letter)

Posted:
09/05/2013 09:38:11 AM EDT

HB 1154 is alleged by Republicans to address an exemption in the criminal code that was originally included to level the playing field when unions are negotiating with management. The Right to Work supporters now seem to be manipulating the language to make it appear that "union" is a synonym for "terrorist" - in fact, the majority of union members are good, honest, hardworking people who do not support tactics like harassment, stalking and threatening harm that HB 1154 claims to address. Similar to the Voter ID suppression laws, there is no indication that this law would address any current real problem and current criminal code could already address any problems, if there had been any. Rather this law is designed to stymie and criminalize peaceful activities by workers merely seeking to have a voice on the job. In the majority of National Labor Board cases it is more common that management would intimidate, harass and fire workers who try to form unions. Workers fear retribution more than management fears terrorism. Should it become a crime to be organizing drives and picket lines to protect worker rights? Through laws like this the GOP is making the workplace less safe while hurting middle class jobs and wages. Right to Work laws exist in states that have lower median income than others, in fact, 10 of the 14 Right to Work states have a median income of $45,000 or less while the national average is just over $50,000.

Advertisement

Pennsylvania, with a median income of $47,000 should be trying to increase income levels and create jobs instead of trying to adopt laws that are blatant attacks against unions and do nothing for job creation. Time for a change in Harrisburg.